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Motivation can build exponentially as staffers get excited about a project and feel a sense of ownership through participation. The more involved and included staffers feel, and the more collaborative team-building efforts you initiate, the greater likelihood for cultivating motivated team members who are generating new ideas for your business.

Build Up Your Team

Help staffers feel like team members rather than employees. When workers feel valued and appreciated for their ideas and efforts, they’re more likely to participate, share and collaborate because they see themselves as more than cogs in the business wheel. Acknowledge and praise efforts, publicly share where new ideas are generated from and let staffers know their contributions will be recognized and remembered. Give credit where it is due and never let a culture develop where management takes credit for the ideas of staffers without sharing some of the kudos.

Brainstorm Regularly

Build excitement and get ideas flowing by giving staffers a chance to bounce ideas off one another in a brainstorming environment. While effective brainstorming should have a bit of directive behind it, open the doors to all ideas and concepts to truly get people thinking outside the box and developing and processing thoughts from different directions. A brainstorming environment should be one in which all ideas are welcomed, supported and given credence, and where staffers don't feel they’ll be rejected or put down.

Create Autonomy

Allow responsible staffers some room to develop new ideas and concepts without constant oversight and monitoring. Again, some types of parameters are likely necessary to ensure appropriate time and financial management, but micromanagement can be a big de-motivator. If you've got a competent team working on a project that has your approval, give them some wiggle room and decision-making powers to help keep them motivated and provide them with a vested sense of ownership.

Reward Innovation

Develop an internal recognition or rewards program that celebrates team effort, collaboration and new idea generation. The recognition program can be financially based or more of a feel-good award, but it will work as a motivator for getting staffers on board for coming up with exciting new ideas. It will also show that the company appreciates the work of staffers, which can help reduce turnover, increase longevity and improve morale.